Fort Elson was the second of the Polygonal forts and, since the destruction of Fort Gomer in 1964, it is the oldest surviving polygonal fort.
It was surveyed by English Heritage (1990) prior to listing it. It is very heavily overgrown and parts of its tunnels and casemates are reported to have collapsed. It has now been left to decay under an English Heritage policy of ‘controlled ruination that is to allow the fort to deteriorate under a controlled and planned manner ensuring adequate records and safety aspects are addressed’.
Reconstructing Ruins 